Imagine our delight when we read that one of AIL’s Learning Centers in a very unsecured area near Kabul had more than doubled their enrollment of students from one month’s report to the next. Imagine our absolute surprise to learn that the additional students were all boys! Immediately we asked questions of the AIL Kabul Office. They reported that a local businessman purchased computers and a solar powered device that provides electricity to the center in order to expand the programs there. The Center hired two additional teachers and is offering English and Computer courses for young men. Immediately, 58 males enrolled in these courses. The Center intends to expand this training to females once the security situation is more controlled.

Please remember that Wednesday, June 13th (beginning at 12:01 AM EST) is a Bonus Day through Global Giving. Donations received that day will be provided a matching gift of 30, 40 or 50 percent.

Since 1995, the Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL) has been helping Afghans lift themselves above the devastation of war by providing education, training, health care, and health education. AIL’s approach is to interlink health and education programs, like building blocks that together form a whole structure. While delivering these basic services AIL has also been able to promote critical thinking skills and model and teach human rights, women’s rights, peace, democracy, and leadership. With new skills and information, Afghans are becoming empowered and hopeful. Through your financial support, you have been a part of these seeds of systemic change.

Through the natural progression that exists when people begin to think for themselves, AIL often receives requests from Afghans who want to find ways to work together to promote love, understanding, and forgiveness to their people in order to return to a peaceful way of life; the way of their country’s history. Supported by Fetzer Institute, AIL is responding to these requests by holding an International Conference on Love and Forgiveness this Spring that will be shared throughout the country and internationally via film. This conference will focus on the study of Afghan poets and musicians, particularly the work of Mawlana (Rumi). Participating in the conference will be poets, writers, Sufis and government representatives from all parts of Afghanistan and the world.

Joining the Conference, in person, or via film or writings, are:

Poet Coleman Barks; known as the pre-eminent translator of Rumi, the great 13th century poet and teacher. Mr. Barks’ writings and translations have filled 15 books that are more popular than other renderings of these ancient words. They make Rumi’s raptures accessible to the world beyond their creation.

Stephen Olsson, President of CEM Productions, has produced and directed documentary films, television series and feature news reports throughout the world for US and European broadcasters. He also produced and directed: Afghanistan: The Fight For A Way of Life, which was broadcast throughout the world and cited by The New York Times as one of the best documentary films of the year.

Divine Mother Audrey Kitagawa, a former attorney, practiced in Honolulu for twenty years, and became the spiritual leader of The Light of Awareness International Spiritual Family, a worldwide community based in Hawaii. Divine Mother Audrey is a prolific writer on matters of spirituality and multiculturalism and serves on many global, spiritual and UN advisory boards, including as Advisor to the World Federation of United Nations Associations.

AIL invites you to join Afghans in thought and through your own study of music and poetry that brings us all closer to the peaceful world we endeavor to achieve.

During 2011, 4,477 boys attended classes at AIL’s Learning Centers in Kabul and Herat. One of those students, named Mohammad Shafee is 10 years old and has been studying for one year at an AIL Learning Center. His father is deceased, but his mother and his brothers support his efforts to receive an education. Shafee says, “I am thankful for Dr. Yacoobi and the teachers at my center for helping me to learn literacy. I wish them all a long life full of success. I will continue my studies and I will help my people in the future.”

Please keep in mind that Wednesday, March 14, 2012 is Bonus Day through GlobalGiving. Donations up to $1,000.00 will be provided with a 30% match. The bonus allotment is $50,000.00 and the period runs from 12:01 AM EST until the funds are exhausted. So, if you would like your donation to go a little further with the help of Global Giving, give early on March 14th. Thank you!

“Ali Khidadad is a boy who lost his father a few years ago. He is living with his uncle. He is registered in English class. His teacher says he is very clever and really wants to learn English. He always gives thanks for the director of this center.”

These are the kinds of stories we see every month. Young men are entering classes and not giving into some other way of life despite their circumstances. They know that education is key to bringing their own lives and their country forward.

Thank you to all of you who supported this project this year. You are making a difference.

Another program has been started in Herat at the restored Gawhar Shad Musalla Complex that is helping to train boys as well as girls. In addition to their continued offerings in their Learning Centers, The Afghan Institute of Learning has set up several cultural and specialty classes at the Complex in hopes of attracting the attention of young students and to continue some of the historical Afghan craftmaking.

A new program they are offering is a three month photography course. Immediately, seven young men enrolled in the course. AIL continuously expands their programs to keep the young men of Afghanistan engaged in education and job skills.

About Project Reports

Project Reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.